WAITERS WINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 154, 3 July 1939, Page 13

WAITERS WINS.

BIG ROAD RACE. ONEHUNGA TO AUCKLAND. J. X. B. NEIL SECOND. After a great duel with the 1937 winner of the event, J. I. B. Neil, of the Presbyterian Club, L. R. Waiters, the Auckland Club's star distance runner, triumphed narrowly in the ninth annual Onehunga to Auckland road race on Saturday. Last year's winner, J. W. Savidan, did not compete. WattTS and Nell were close to each other for a good portion of the journey, with Watters paving the way, and, from St. Stephen's Avenue to the finish In Quay Street first one man and then the other took the lead. At King's wharf, however, the Auckland Oub man had an advantage of 15 yards, but at this point he almost overbalanced on a railway line, and Neil, finishing fast, quickly narrowed the gap. Watt its ulso eased up on approaching the ci;owd and officials, but Nell finished full out and got to within 61n of his rival. It wes a thrilling climax to a grand race—on* of the best of the srrles staffed annually by the Technical College Old Boys' Athletic Club—and the time made by Watters of 37.1 compared favourably with the record set In 1935 by J. W. Savidan of 36.27.

A record field of J3O lunnere participator] In the event, and they were sent awny by flic Mayor of Onehunga. Mr. A. Oarc.'df". If was a test of stnminu nnd it win n-t I'inir before the field was well str'.ng out. Apart from Walters and Neil, others who were prominently placed at various points were C. Littler (Papateotofi. who filled third place. R. Crompton (Lynndale), fourth. V. Inbertson (Teclinicn 11. flfth, and A. Browne (Lynndale) sixth. For his success Walters holds for a year the C. G. Chambers Cup for fastest time. The Metropolitan Cup for the sealed handicap way carried off P. Stewart, of the Wesley Clu*>. The WHeon Road Cttp for the A teams' championship went to Lynn dale, winners now for the third season in succession, and the Robinson Brothers trophy for the B teams' championship to the same club, the nolders. First junior to finish was J. Nacey, of the Baptist Club, who was In twenty-second place. Details are as follow:— First and Fastest.—L. R. Wattere (Auckland;, 37m Is. Second Fastest.— J. I. B. Nell (Presbyterian). 37m Is. Third Fastest.—C. Littler (I-*patoetoe), 37m 355. Sealed Handicap.—P. Stewart (Weeley), •I.lm 47s (Dm 3Os I 1. E. W. Nancekevill (Wesleye). 34m Is (9m), 2: D. Fraser (Weslpyi. 34m 3s (8m 30s), 3. First junior to finish.— J. Wacey (Baptist). Xacey finished in 22nd place and hi* time was 40m 545. First A Team.—Lynndale (R. Co.mpton 4, A. Browne 6, W. Briggs 10, T. Colline 11), 31 points. Second A team: Technical (V. Ibbertson 5, A. Harding 9, P. Best 13, J. Nicholson 17), 44 points. First B Team.—Lynndale (B. Howells 21. H. Eley 25, L. Kemp 34, O. Young 37), 117 points). Second B Team.—Technical (A. G. Bradley 28. L. Gaetii 51, J. N. Parker 56, J. Mortimer), 105 points. The prizes were presented on Saturday evening by the president of the Technical Old Boys' Club, Mr. A. Warren, at the Penwomen's Club rooms.